LED vs HID, the good, the bad, the ugly

Hey everyone,
Only had my new Tacoma about a week but after a night snow wheeling trip through a canyon last night and being the only one with stock halogen lights I definitely want to upgrade!

I'm looking for all opinions, info, products, pros and cons, anything and everything.

Especially pictures!

2017 TRD Off Road

Thanks in Advance!
-Jesse

 

i did the setup from this thread...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hyluxtek-hid-kit-with-cnlight-ball-bulbs.457964/

would do again, great performance, no cons! and a great price and easy install.

 

From what I've read a retrofit is the best option. Swapping out kits seems to be a coin flip on issues. YMMV.

 

I absolutely hate bright headlights as too many have them and blind the shit out of you when driving.

If you need more light considering adding some pods or a lightbar.
At least you can still drive around town/city without being a douche bag and blinding every oncoming driver.

 

get the correct equipment and there's no problem. the OP of the thread i linked tested his setup. i have the same set and tested the cutoff line of the low beams comparing with stock. from 24 feet away my cutoff line was within one inch. and I've seen my cutoff line during driving to be right on, no issues for other drivers.

the stock halogens are too dim. most feel this way.

 

Headlights have projectors already so doing a retro fit on them is just overkill and IMO unnecessary. I personally have HIDs on my 2016 tacoma and I like em better than the LEDs that I got for them before I switched to HIDs. BUT, going from stock halogen to HIDs or LEDs youll definitely see improvement and to be honest you cant go wrong with either of the two.

 

I agree they're a bit dim thats why I'm adding some pods.
Even then you can always buy a higher line bulb of the same type, like a silverstar line of bulb etc.
I've done that on previous vehicles and it was fine. Likely going to do the same with the tacoma soon.
Its a pretty significant difference going from the lowest line bulb (which I wouldn't doubt the factory ones are) to the higher level of the halogens

 

HID's from TRS (The Retrofit Resource). 50W Ballast w/ 6500k bulbs.

Stock Halogen Lows:


HID Lows:


Aim is the same as stock. I have also tested it with the wife's car (Xterra Pro4X) to see if the lights would blind you if I was behind you. No blinding.

 

I read through this thread the other day however i lost interest after he had problems with water causing them to cut out. How do you like? How long have you been using it? Any issues?

 

just something to note if you plan on doing fogs as well, ran into someone local with a new tacoma as well who put HIDs in the fogs as well and it melted the shit out of the housing

 

Really like the looks of that setup!
How hard long have you had them and any issues? Cost?

 

LED for Fogs. I used the Morimoto XB LED fogs.

Stock Halogen Lows and Fogs:


HID Lows and LED Fogs:

 

Are those an amber fog i take it?

 

I have had them installed since Jan. 10th. They were easy to install. I paid just under $300 for the HID kit and the LED Fog Lights. There was a promo/group buy from TRS on the LED fogs. No issues and we have had tons of rain here in Ohio.

 

They are 5000k-5500k, but I added the optional yellow LaminX.

 

It wasn't water...that was just a coincidence and was clarified. The ballasts draw more amperage than the 15 amp fuse can handle so you'd either need a 20 amp fuse or the safer option, a relay harness.

 

https://www.osram-americas.com/en-us/products/automotive/Pages/silverstar-ultra.aspx

same bulbs I always changed to with previous vehicles that I found didn't have enough light.
had them on my jeep for when driving back home after being on the trails, and two LED Rigid flood pods for while on the trails. will be doing the same for the taco if not trying the new https://www.osram-americas.com/en-us/products/automotive/Pages/xtravision.aspx

 

I stand corrected I do remember that now. How are you liking that setup?

 

Love it, though I just ordered the same cnlight h11b ball bulbs in 6000k which was the other color option to see if I can get the lows to match my morimoto xb led fogs color. Probably won't be as bright as the 4300k but worth the 30 dollars to experiment. It's been flawless and the additional visibility is outstanding. I love how fast and reliably the ballasts fire and warm up.

 

Any pictures of your setup from the front by chance?